Pocket Dot is an interactive Clipper command processor, or interpreter. It provides a ‘dot prompt,’ from which Clipper commands can be executed interactively. It also has the ability to interpret (execute) .PRG files.

Contents of the PD.DOC file

Pocket Dot came out of my attempt to fill in the void where Clipper leftoff - the interactive arena. What I wanted was many of the functionsincluded in the 'big name' interpreters, without the cost, in animplementation that is compatible with Clipper. (Please don't mentionDOT.PRG and DBU.) So here's Pocket Dot.

Pocket Dot is an interactive Clipper command processor, or interpreter. It provides a 'dot prompt,' from which Clipper commands can be executedinteractively. It also has the ability to interpret (execute) .PRG files.

Pocket Dot can be used for a variety of things that would normallyrequire writing and compiling a program or using one of the 'big name'interpreters. Here are some of the things for which people I know arealready using Pocket Dot:

- Creating and maintaining database files outside an application. - Viewing the contents of .MEM files. - Learning or testing the usage of Clipper commands. - Testing procedures and functions interpretively. - Using it as an additional debug facility. - Providing a hot-key 'back door' support for applications. - Demonstrating third party functions and libraries.

Pocket Dot (PD.EXE) is 'shareware.' You are encouraged to copy andshare the unmodified, executable file with others, provided that thisdocumentation is included and there is no fee or consideration charged forthe software. If you find Pocket Dot to be of value, your contribution wouldbe appreciated.

You can register you copy of Pocket Dot by sending a contribution of$20. or more with your name and address to:

Ben Snow P.O. Box 29591 Atlanta, Ga. 30359

Those of you that register your copy of Pocket Dot will receive thecontributor's package, including more documentation (on diskette), and some"other goodies" that I have reserved for Pocket Dot supporters. (ex.: PocketDot's OBJ files and a make file so that you can link Pocket Dot to/with yourapplications, window routines, a dictionary-driven file maintenance utility,an abbreviated debug substitute, AND SOURCE CODE for much of this!)Some notes on using Pocket Dot:

Most commands work the same way they would in a Clipper compiled program. Some, however, deviate from this when used directly from the prompt (asopposed to running in a .PRG). CREATE , for example, provides theinteractive 'MODIFY STRUCTURE' screen when used directly from the prompt.

CONFIG.PD can be used to set up your standard Pocket Dot environment. Iffound in the current directory when you start Pocket Dot, it is executed justas if "DO CONFIG.PD" were entered at the command prompt.

SET DOTBOX ON/OFF toggles the 'plain old dot prompt' for those of you thatcan't stand the box. Also available are: SET DOTROW TO xx, SET DOTCOL TO xx,SET DOTLEN TO xx.

BROWSE, LIST MEMORY, LIST STRUCTURE, STAT, and MODIFY STRUCTURE (to name justa few) should help you realize the usefulness of Pocket Dot!

F2 is the context sensitive 'select' key, which attempts to give you a listof whatever it is you need when entering a command. Try typing LIST (withoutpressing ENTER) at the command prompt, then pressing F2. You will get a listof fields from the currently active database. When you have selected theones you want, press ESC and they will be placed on the command line for you!

Changing drives and directories is supported at the command prompt in asimilar manner to being at the DOS prompt (ie. CD, MD, RD, A:, C:, ...).

I hope you find Pocket Dot useful and interesting. Your suggestions andcriticism are of great value to me (as are your contributions). It is myintention that Pocket Dot will continue to be upgraded and enhanced as timeand resources (some dependency on contributions here) permit. It is my goalto continue to provide quality software at a great price, promoting publicacceptance of "shareware" and an appreciation of the individual programmersand small software companies.